Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist, artist and graphic designer are a few titles related to University of St. Thomas’ Sister Mary Roberta Connors, FSE. She showcases highlights from her latest installment of artwork in her Spring Art Show “Paintings and Prints” from 1-4 p.m. on May 4-5 at 1210 Colquitt St., on campus.

“My show is a two-day party with lots of my friends,” Sister Mary Roberta said. “Friends of the Franciscan community and the University come to have a good time. You don’t have to buy anything, but everything is for sale.”

Many pieces of art will be on sale, even hand-painted cards for as little as $5. Most of Sister Mary Roberta’s artwork is of natural things, but she does also include a few abstract paintings.

“I have found that I’m painting natural things – lots of floral
landscapes and some animals,” she said. “Because I’m a Franciscan Sister and St. Francis saw God in nature and in the beauty of creation, they are mostly realistic.”

She finds inspiration in creation and nature, and her favorite artist is Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Although she is primarily a graphic designer, she paints on the side and uses the funds to support the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.

“I’ve been blessed my whole life to have natural talent and develop it through training,” she said.

Sister Mary Roberta is a member of the UST Board of Directors and a staff member at UST Campus Ministry. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. This year, she was invited to cut the ribbon to open the 78th Annual Azalea Trail, an event for which she designed artwork.

Students from the University of St. Thomas Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing parti...

University of St. Thomas
The University of St. Thomas, dedicated to educating leaders of faith and character, is a private institution committed to the liberal arts and to the religious, ethical and intellectual tradition of Catholic higher education. St. Thomas is Houston’s only Catholic University and was founded by the Basilian Fathers in 1947.